Methacholine Challenge experience for asthma diagnosis
Have you had one? If so, did the medical professional conducting the challenge stay with you the whole time?
I had one years ago. The person administering the challenge put me in a glass chamber, explained the amount of methacholine would increase until it induced an asthma attack and that how much methacholine it took would determine whether I have asthma or not, then left the room for 10-15 minutes. Looking back now, it seems wild that one would leave when trying to give a person an asthma account. What if I had asthma and was stuck without help for 10+ minutes?
Curious what others have experienced, whether they were left to deal with a possible asthma attack alone or if they were monitored?
2 replies
This sounds barbaric.
I was diagnosed with asthma in the 70s because I had frequent asthma attacks that nearly killed me- I can’t imagine why such a test is needed- asthma diagnosis is not difficult and is easily differentiated from other conditions with basic knowledge.
I don't really remember why I had to do this specific diagnosis tool. I was pretty young. I remember having trouble breathing at times. I remember I also had to do a ton of the allergy tests where they prick your back with needles and swab with potential allergens and check for a reaction. Whatever breathing problems I was having must not have been as obviously asthma.
It appears to still be in use as a diagnosis tool, https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/methacholine-challenge-test
Reading the "risks" section, I suspect the person who administered my test was breaking protocol when they left me alone.